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Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Behaviour/development

HELP - hair washing!!!

12 replies

sarahlou1 · 19/05/2005 23:18

My 2 yr old DD has suddenly started getting into a panic when washing her hair. She goes swimming once a week and loves that & is fine in the bath, although does not like lying on her back. Hair washing is another matter, she gets so upset & cries so much that she starts shaking, DH & I have to hold her down to wash it. I've tried the shields you can buy & also bought a shower attachment for the bath but as soon as she sees it she throws a complete wobbler. Hair wash nights are a nightmare - has anybody any suggestions - PLEASE!!!!

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loulabelle222 · 19/05/2005 23:34

try rinsing her hair off with a sponge and distracting her by singing, playing with toys?

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jampots · 19/05/2005 23:38

my dd was the same and I remember when I was pregnant with ds and dd was 3.5 having to hold her under my arm kicking and screaming just to wash her minging head . She hated the water on her face so eventually I sat and explained to her that water cant run uphill and showed her that if she kept her head tilted backwards then the water would drip off the back of her head - if she bent it forwards then it would drip all over her face. This put her in control of her hair washing problem - well that and a pair of swimming goggles!

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Frizbe · 19/05/2005 23:41

Have you tried getting her to wash her own hair? my dd has recently taken to throwing a wobbly (18mths) so earlier this week I got her to wash her own hair, which she did, had great fun (suddenly!) sponging her own hair with water, and using the flannel to keep it off her face at same time (I got her to wash her face 1st and do mine, to get her into it) then popped shampoo on her hand and told her to rub it in (after a fashion) I was allowed to help on that bit, then I just kept the water she was sponging off out of her face with the flannel (as soapy)
Tonight we did it again, although this time I was allowed to do it, with her putting on the shampoo, and to wash it off quickly I went with oooh what's that on the celing, quickly sponging off the soap on the top, then doing the back later.
Hope this helps?

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sarahlou1 · 20/05/2005 10:31

Thanks for those tips - I'll give them a go & let you know I get on - it can't get any worse!!!

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mummylonglegs · 20/05/2005 10:50

Message deleted

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MrsWood · 20/05/2005 23:25

our dd (22 months) is the same - hair washing is such a nightmare all of the sudden.
So far we succeded with all kinds of distractions, but she's getting quite clever and knows what's about to happen, so not much luck anymore. I will deffo try goggles when she throws a wobbly next time

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misdee · 20/05/2005 23:38

'wind the bobbin up, wind the bobbin, pull, pull, clap clap clap, point to the ceiling.....' when your dd looks to the ceilign when pointing, then rinse her hair. works for me!!!

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sarahlou1 · 21/05/2005 20:00

Just to keep you up to date on how the hair washing is going - could hardly get DD in the bath tonight - normally she loves it, but I think she knows whats coming, although I do try to leave a few nights between washes so she doesn't always associate bath with hair wash. So we had a quick rinse down & out!!!

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Lonelymum · 21/05/2005 20:09

I have been through this with all four of my children. Have just washed my 4 yo dd's hair and 2 yo ds3. Ds3 is still too young to do much but scream (!) but I think I have dd sussed now: keep the water level in the bath very shallow so she can lie down relaxed in the bath and there is no danger of the water going over her eyes. Also keep the water lukewarm - it feels much hotter around the face than it does to the hands. I rinse her hair with water from a jug (you can control the flow better) and keep a towel handy in case any water goes near her eyes.

Well, it seems to have worked with my dd although she is twice the age of your dd, sarhalou. Perhaps it is just the case that you have to wait a bit longer....

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Monstersmum · 23/05/2005 11:10

Had exactly the same with my DS from age 2.5 - he's now 3.5 and much better.

I just left it for a month - sounds awful but I did "sponge" it. He gradually got used to that.

Then I started getting in the bath with him and letting him "wash" my hair - he loves this. Then I did his with a sponge/flannel. We progressed to a jug and now he understands the concept of keeping his head back till I tell him to stop.

We also play a game where I pretend to be a hairdresser and he is the customer - we have the usual "hae you been anywhere on your holiday" conversation - he loves this.

I have also started splashing him a bit to get him used to water in his face.

Good luck

F

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Lonelymum · 23/05/2005 13:20

I did the "have you been anywhere nice for your holidays madam?" bit with dd (age 5) on saturday when I washed her hair. I don't know what made me say it, it just came out! Dd gave me a withering look though so I shut up and got on with the hair washing!

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sarahlou1 · 23/05/2005 20:12

Got in bath with DD tonight to try & coax her into washing her hair & letting her wash mine - she was too busy screaming to do anything - I sang songs, tried putting swimming goggles on, the lot!! Ended up sponging it as she screamed from going upstairs to getting out of the bath.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!